Machine for manufacturing prewelt shoes



June 24,L l941 J. s. KAMBoRAN MACHINE FOR MANUF-ACTURING PREWELT SHOES Filed May 5; 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l June 24,` 1941.

J.-s. KAMBORIAN MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING PREWELT SHOES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WIlIIllIlIlIlIlIlIII/l Filed May 5, 1938 m6753074 @60,5 5TM am @@mw mty Jun 24, 1941- J. s. KAMBORIAN MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING PREWELT SHOES Filed May 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l la Patented June 24, 1941 2,246,520V MACHINE Fon MANUFACTURING raEwEL'r snoss Jacob S. Kamborian, West Newton, Mass., assignor, by mesne assignments, to General Research, Inc., Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 5, 1938, Serial No. 206,165

27 Claims.

This invention pertains to the manufacture of footwear, and relates more especially to apparatus useful in making pre-welt shoes, and to an improved method of making such shoes.

In making shoes of the pre-welt type, the upper material is cut with less than the usual lasting allowance, and after the upper has been fitted, a sole-attaching welt strip is secured to the lower edge of the upper, usually by stitching. According to customary practice the upper is then assembled with an insole upon `a last and the united edges of the upper and welt are lasted in and cemented or otherwise secured to the margin of the insole. After lasting, the outer sole is laid and secured to the welt in any appropriate way, for instance by stitching or adhesive. Ordinarily the insole has associated with it a central filler piece which more or less fills the space at the center of the insole defined by the inturned edges of the upper and welt.

The lasting of the upper with its attached welt is a difficult and unduly expensive operation, particularly when it is remembered that the eld s of usefulness of the pre-welt process has heretofore at least been largely confined to childrens shoes or the like, which must be made to sell at a Very low price. An object therefore of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making pre-welt shoes whereby the parts are united and shaped to the last much more readily and with less expense than has previously been possible.

In accordance with the present improved process, the usual insole is replaced by a sock lining introduced after the outer sole has been attached, and a further object of the present invention 1s to provide a shoe lacking the usual structural 1nsole but having a smooth and level foot-support-l ing surface substantially free from bunches, crevices or other irregularities. To this end the invention contemplates the use of an outer sole having a central elevation or plateau corresponding in function to the usual filler piece, but also providing a rigid abutment shoulder for engagement by the united edges of the welt and upper, thereby denitely to fix the location of said edges. i

In'practice the usual pre-Welt process necessitates the use of expensive lasting apparatus, and a further object of the present' invention is to provide mechanical means for use in the practice of the present improved process which, as compared with the usual lasting means, is extremely simple, inexpensive and capable of operation without requiring any special skill.

' According to usual methods, the welted upper is first secured to the insole mounted on the last, and the outer sole is afterward secured to the welt, but according to the present process the united edges of the welt and upper are positioned upon the margin of the outer sole and united` directly thereto, and the last is afterward inserted. A further object of the present invention is to provide novel means whereby the welt is attened and pressed against the upper surface of the outer sole While the united edges of the upper and welt are driven very firmly against the abutment shoulder formed by the central projecting portion of the outer sole. Preferably this shoulder is so designed as to overhang, -and the 'edges of the welt and upper are bevelled and tucked forcibly beneath this overhanging shoulder so as to form a very perfect fit and a smooth inner surface for the shoe. A

Preferably the welt is united to the outer sole concomitantly with the above-described opera-A tion ir which it is associated with the outer sole and driven snugly against the abutment shoulder-such union of the welt and outer sole being by means of adhesive or by stitches or by both. II' adhesive be employed, it is contemplated that the adhesive may be applied to the surface of the welt before the upper is associated with the outer sole, or as a step in a continuous operation involving the application of the adhesive, the assembly of the welt and outer sole and the permanent union of said parts.

In order that the united edge of the Welt and upper may be snugly tted to the abutment shoulder of trie outer sole, it is essential that said edges of the welted upper be as even as practical and as close as possible to the seam which unites them.` According to the present method, the surplus material of the welt and upper, which pro- Ject beyond the seam, is trimmed away, preferably at a bevel as above described, thereby to permit the edge of the upper and welt to be tucked snugly and tightly into the crevice produced by the undercut abutment shoulder of the outer sole.

In order to prevent premature adhesion of the weltto the outer sole before the welt has been properly positioned against the abutment shoulder, it is preferable to provide guard means interposed between the approaching surfaces of the welt and outer sole, which allows said surfaces to contact only as they are finally forced into contact in the proper relation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter in the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherem:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, with certain parts indicated in dotted lines, illustrating a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. l is a side elevation, to larger scale, illustrating a welt tucking implement;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section substantially on the line 2-2 0f Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in horizontal section, showing a guard device forming an element of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section, to large scale, showing the outer sole of the shoe, the upper, and Welt, and indicating the operation of the welt turning plow;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section substantially on the line 6 5 of Fig. 5, further illustrating the action oi' the welt turning plow;

Fig. 7 is a. fragmentary vertical section showing the outer sole, the upper, and welt, and indicating the operation of the welt tucking implement;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section showing the margin of the upper with the welt secured thereto;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevation, with certain parts in section, illustrating a trimming device for trimming the united edges of the welt and upper;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the united edges of the upper and welt as having been trimmed to a bevel and illustrating the application of adhesive to the trimmed edges and to the under surface of the welt;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the shoe upper with the attached welt after the united edges of the welt and upper have been trimmed;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of an outer sole constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section, to larger scale, substantially on the line Ill-I3 of Fig. 12, showing a preferred embodiment;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but illus- Vtrating a slightly modified construction;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevation showing a modified and preferred form of 4work rest;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation showing a shoe having the heel wedge disposed beneath the rear part of the outer sole;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic plan view of a shoe indicating the relative locations of several operative instrumentalities which may be used in uniting the welt and outer sole; and

Fig. 19 is a vertical section showing the shoe after the outer sole and upper have been united and with a last disposed within the upper.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 to 4, wherein the preferred embodiment of apparatus is illustrated, the machine comprises a frame, here shown as including a horizontal front bar I and a corresponding rear bar 2, said bars being supported by front legs than that of the portions 29;

3 and rear legs I, the legs preferably diverging downwardly so as to provide a firm base for the machine. The front and rearl bars i and 2 are united by parallel side bars 5 and 6, which are preferably angle bars having vertical parallel flanges I and 8 respectively. To these flanges are secured vertical plates 9 and I0 respectively, between which are arranged spacer members, such as the members II and I2, the various frame parts being united by bolts, rivets, welding, or in any other suitable manner; The lower spacing member I2 projects forwardly beyond the member I (Figs. l, 2 and 3), and its upper surface I3 constitutes a work rest or support.

With this work rest there cooperates a welt tucking device I4 (Fig. la) having a nose portion I5 terminating in an acute edge I6, which is designed to enter the crevice between the outer surfaces of the united upper and welt. This nose v`portion I5 also has a substantially horizontal fiat under surface I1 designed to press the welt iirmly against the marginal portion of the outer sole, as hereinafter more fully described and as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 is of substantial width so as to atten the welt without substantially indenting it.

'I'he tucking member I4 has a substantially horizontal shank portion provided with a vertical opening I8 which receives the lower end of a stem member I9 (Figs. 1 and 2). This stem member preferably is screw threaded and the tucking member I4 may be adjusted vertically along this stem member, and when properly adjusted may be held iixedly to the stem member by means of suitable clamping nuts or the like. The upper part of the stem I9 is fitted to slide in a vertical socket in a carrier member 20. In order to prevent the stem I9 from turning in its socket, it preferably is furnished with an elongate slot 2| (Fig. 1) which receives the inner end of a set screw 22 which allows the stem to move vertically but prevents it from turning. Above the stem is arranged a cushioning spring 23 which abuts a tension adjusting screw 24. The tucking device is thus yieldable, to some extent, vertically, as permitted by the spring 23, but the resistance to yield, and thus the degree of pressure which it exerts against the welt, may be varied by turning the adjusting screw 24.

The carrier 20 is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly directed extension 2li which is disposed between a pair of guide plates 25 and 26 secured to the inner surfaces of the plates 9 and IU, respectively, by means of screws 2'I and 28 (Fig. 3) or the like.

The opposed surfaces of the plates 25 and 26 are furnished with guide slots, the slots in the two plates being alike in shape and arrangement, each slot having portions 29 and 30 which are inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal, for example, an angle of 22.5, and also including inclined portions 3| whose inclination is steeper for example, the portions 3| may be inclined at an angle oi' 45 or more to the horizontal.

These slots receive guide studs 32 projecting from opposite sides of the extension 20 of the carrier, the carrier thus being movable in a generally inclined path but at two diiferent degrees of inclination according to the part of the path in which it is moving.

The rear end portion of the extension 20 is bifurcated to provide spaced ears 20b which receive between them a tongue 33 (Figs. 1 and 2) at the forward end of a connecting rod 3L The rear end of this connecting rod 34 is secured to` an eccentric strap 35 which cooperates with an eccentric 36 fixed to is journaled in openings in the plates 9 and Il. Ihis shaft projects outwardly beyond one of these plates and is furnished with suitable drive means (not shown, for example a belt driven pulley) whereby it may be rotated rapidly, thusl (by means of the connecting rod 34) reciprocating the carriage 20 along the path provided by the guide slots29, 39 and 3|. U

For the purpose of initiating the downward and outward turning and flattening of the welt, a plow member 39 having an attaching shank portion 39 (Fig. 2) is mounted on the machine frame so as to engage the welt :lust` before the latter is engaged by l the tucking member I4. This plow preferably comprises a piece of sheet metal hav.

ing its operating end 39 inclined both downwardly and in the direction of movement of the welt as it is advanced toward the tucking member'` I5. As shown in Fig. 5, the downwardly directed operative portion 39 of the plow member engages between the opposed outer surfaces of the united upper and welt and, by engagement of its lower edge and outer surface with the welt, tends to turn the latter downwardly into a horizontal position. i

Since the outer surface of the welt is ordinarily adhesive` and since it is essential that the united edges of the welt and upper be moved horizontally to the proper final position (as hereafter more `fully described), before the adhesive surface of the welt comes into uniting contact with the outer sole--a guard member 49 (Figs. 2 and 4) is provided in advance of the tucking member I and preferably at the region of action of the plow member 39. This guard member 49 is a thin plate which is guided to slide on the upper surface ofthe member I2 and which has a shank portion 4I provided with a laterally projecting pin 42 which passes outwardly through a horizontal slot 43 in the frame and which is received in an elongate slot in a lever arm 44 pivoted at 45 to the frame. The `upper end 49 of this lever 44 constitutes a handle by means of which the guard 49 may at times be retracted from operative position.

In a modified and preferred construction illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, the forward extension I2a of the lower spacer member I2 is furnished with an inclined upper surface 41 preferably dovetailed or undercut, as shown at 49, for the reception and guidance of a sliding block 49 whose upper horizontal surface Il* constitutes the work rest. This block is provided at its rear end with an upstanding ear 59 to which is attached the connecting rod 5I pivotally secured to the vertical arm 52 of a bell-crank lever pivoted to the frame and having a horizontal `arrn to whichis secured a link 54 bymeans of which it is connected to a pedal lever 53. A spring 55 tends to lift the .pedal lever and thus to hold the block 49 in its rearmost position, but by depressing the pedal the block may be moved down. wardly along the inclined guideway so that its upper `surface I3 moves farther-away from the tucking device I4.

The work rest is provided with a guide roll R preferably having aknurled edge which is designed to engage the edge of the outer sole and thus to guide the outer sole as the latter is presented to the field of action ofthe tucking device I4. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to a `drive shaft -3I` which 4 stud `D which is fixed in the extension I2 of the lower spacer member. In the arrangement shown in Figs. and 16, wherein the work rest is vertically adjustable, the guide roll R is mounted on` a stud 59 which fits within a vertical guide opening in the extension I2* and which is vertically movable in suchk openingbeing urged downwardly by means of a spring 51 which engages an adjustable nut at the lower end of the stem 55. 'Ihe block I3* is furnished with an elonfgate slot 5l for\the reception of the upper end of the stem. Thus, regardless of the position of the block 49, the guide roll R remains in position to engage the edge of the outer sole mounted on the work rest Il.

For trimming the united edges of the upper and welt. apparatus such as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9 may be employed. This apparatus preferably comprises a cylindrical cutter C of a type similar to that employed in leather skiving machines. For presenting the work to this cutter, guide rolls 59 and 59 are employed, such rolls being driven by means of a shaft BI and suitable bevelled gearing. The roll 59 preferably is knurled and engages the outer or under surface of the welt W, while the roll 59 is a smooth-surfaced, thin, bevelled-edge roll designed to engage between the opposed outer surfaces of the upper U and the welt W so as to support the upper and' welt in the vicinity of the field of action of the edge of the cutter C. 1f desired, the trimming apparatus may be arranged, for example, by proper shaping of rolls 59 and 59, to flatten the weltl while trimming it.

An outer sole desirable for use in accordance with the present procedure is illustrated at S in Figs. 12 and i3. 'I'his outer sole may be of leather or any of the usual materials employed for this purpose, butl differs from ordinary outer soles in that it has a central elevation or plateau P which terminates in an abrupt shoulder A spaced from the edge of the upper surface of the outer sole so as to define a distinct marginal portion Sm. Preferably'the shoulder A is undercut `or dovetailed, as illustrated in Fig. 13, although it is contemplated that, under some conditions, this shoulder may be a vertical shoulder, as illustrated at A in Fig. 14. This plateau or elevation P performs somewhat the same function as the filler" commonly employed for filling the cavity between the inner and outer soles of Mc- Kay or Goodyear welt shoes.

As shown in Fig. 13, the elevation or plateau P is a separate piece cf material secured to the sole proper by means of adhesive or the like. If of separate material, this material may be some such substance, for example, as sheet cork, designed to provide a cushioning effect; or it 'may be of material havingbther properties, `for example, rubber or articial rubber. giving a waterprooflng action; or it may be artificial leather, a -cellulose product, or the like, designed to provide the desired thickness but at a lower cost than were solid leather employed for making 4, the guide roll is mounted to turn freely on a the upper is fitted with but little lasting allowpreferred to trim oi! these irregular edges so as toA provide a smooth and uniform composite edge for engagement with the shoulder A of the outer sole. 'I'his trimming preferably is accomplished by apparatus such as-shown in Fig. 9 or, its equivalent, the several operative parts of which are so arranged as to trim oiI the surplus material E so as to form a bevelled or feather edge E' (Fig. 1o).

` Preferably this bevelled edge. as well as the under surface of the welt W, is coated with adhes'ive before the upper and welt are united with the outer sole. As illustrated in Fig. 10, this adhesive may be applied in the form of a spray M by means of a suitable spray nozzle G. This spray nozzle is supplied with compressed air through a suitable supply pipe-T and with fluid adhesive through a supply pipe T. Preferably the adhesive is of a nature such that it coagulates or gels substantially as soon as it comes into contact with the surface to which it is applied. Thus, for example, if latex be employed as the adhesive, it isl proposed to pass the supply pipe T' through a'heater H which raises the fluid latex to a temperature just short of that at which it coagulates, so that when this heated latex escapes from the nozzle G, it coagulates immediately upon striking the surfaces of the shoe parts which are to be adhesively coated.

At this point it may be pointed out that while, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the surplus material of the upper and welt is trimmed oi to form a bevelled edge E designed for association with an undercut or bevelled shoulder A of the outer sole, the surplus material of the edge would be trimmed 01T square if such edge were to be associated with a square shoulder A','as shown in Fig. 14. Moreoven while the adhesive is shown in Fig. 10 as applied by means of a spray nozzle, it is tosbe understood that it may befapplied in any other desired way within the scope of the invention.

After the upper and welt have been united and the surplus material trimmed away, the upper has the general appearance indicated in Fig.

ll-the welt tending to curl up againstithe outer surface of the upper. Assuming that the trimmed edge yof the welted upper and the under surface of the Welt have been coated with adhesive, the upper is now ready for assembly with an outersole such as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. If desired, the marginal portion Su1 of the out-er sole and the shoulder A may rst be coated with adhesive before assembly with the upper and welt, although this may not be necessary.

Having provided the assembled upper and welt and the outer sole having the central plateau and 'abutment shoulder A, the worker takes the upper and outer sole and first brings them into proper registry at the heel and toe ends, and then, by hand, positions the trimmed edge E of the combined welt and upper into engagement with the shoulder A of the outer sole at some selected point or points, preferably at opposite sides of the shank, and causes the welt to adhere to the margin Sm at these points. Then resting the under surface of the outer sole upon the lworli rest I3 at one of the points where adhesion of the parts has thus been initiated, the worker causes the plow 39 to yenter the crevice between the opposed surfaces of the welt and upper. .Then with the shaft 31 rotating and thus reciprocating or vibrating the welt tucking device I4, the operator causes the sole and upper to progress from the plow 39 toward the tucking device. As the latter reciprocates, it first moves downwardly and forwardly along an inclined path as defined by the inclination of the slots 29, 30 wherein the predominant component of movement is horizontal. 4 f

-As the acute 'edge I6 of the tucking device enters the crevice between thefupper and welt, this predominantly horizontal motion of the tucking device crowds the edge E of the combined upper and welt beneath the shoulder A so as very firmly to engage the edge with the shoulder. This initial downward movement of the tucking .device is followed by a movement along a more steeply inclined path, as defined by the portions 3| of the slot, which causes the lower surface I1 of the tucking device toforce the welt down fiat against the marginal portion Sm of the outer sole with a very substantial pressure. This combined forward and downward movement of the tucking device thus very rmly engages the adhesively coated surfaces of the trimmed edge of the upper and welt and of the welt itself against the shoulder A and against the margin Sm of the outer sole, respectively, so assecurely to unite them. During this operation the edge oi the outer sole engages the roll R against which the worker may press the sole with substantial pressure so as to keep the abutment shoulder A in proper relation to the tucking implement.

It is to be understood that the tucking implement vibrates rapidly and that as it vibrates, the worker moves the sole and upper progressively along the work rest so that .successive portions of the welt are forced into contact with the outer sole. During this same movement the plow 39 helps to initiate the turning and flattening of the welt as the latter approaches) the field of action of thetucking device.

If desired, this operation may be continued without interruption until the welt throughout the entire periphery of the upper has been flattened and secured to the outer sole. However, it may be preferred thus to attach the welt to the outer sole throughout a certain sector of the shoe and then to remove the shoe from the machine and begin again at another pomt, thus to r avoid undue crowding of the welt longitudinally throughout too great an extent of its length, such as might possibly result in puckering the welt before the entire welt had been secured to the outer sole.

Instead. of applying the adhesive-as a preliminary step to the entire welt before startingY to unite the welt to the outer sole, the spray nozzle G, supplied with heated adhesive in the same way as shown in Fig. 10, may be mounted upon the same frame (Fig. 18) as the tucking device and designed to apply adhesive spray to the surface of the welt just before the latter is engaged by the plow 39.' Likewise, if the adhesive is not to be relied upon as the only means for permanently securing the welt to the outer sole, it is contemplated that the frame which supports the tucking implement may also support sewing mechanism of conventional type, including the needle N (Fig. 18), by means of which stitches K may be formed immediately after the welt has been laid vdown fiat against the margin of the outer sole. Obviously, instead of stitches, staples or other fasteners might be inserted at this point, and it is further noted that with such an arrangement, in which permanent fasteners such as stitches or staples are inserted immediately after the action of the tucking device, it may be possible to dispense with the adhesive, since such fasteners would be inserted while the welt was still held in proper relation to the outer sole by the action of the tucking device.

When the welt is adhesive, it is undesirable that its under surface come into contact with the margin Sm of the outer sole until the trimmed edge E has been very firmly engaged with the abutment shoulder A, and, to avoid such premature engagement, the guard plate 40 is provided, as above described. However, when the welt has been `secured `substantially all of the way around the outer sole, it is necessary at the final portion to remove the guard plate so that the last portion of the welt may be brought into contact with the outer sole, and for this reason the guard plate is made retractible, as above described; and when this final stage in the operation i-s reached, the operator retracts the guard plate by means, of the lever handle 46, so that the final portion of the welt may be brought down into` contact With the margin of the sole.

ln making certain types of shoe, as illustrated in Fig. l'l, a Wedge piece B is inserted between the outer sole and the bottom of the shoe at the heel and this. in effect, increases the thickness of the sole at this point.` To accommodate such extra thickness, the work rest may be made vertically adjustable, as indicated in Figs. and lo. asabove described, and when the operator reaches this part of the shoe, he depresses the pedal t3, thus lowering the work rest surface to an extent sufiicient to enable the thickened portion of the sole to pass beneath the tucking device lt--the spring 5l restoring the Work rest to its normal position whenthe pedal is released.

While in the above description reference has been made to the outer sole, it is to be understood that certain features of theabove apparatus and method might Well be useful in securing the Welt of a pre-Welt shoe to an inner sole if it were desired to do so.

After the entire welt has been permanently secured to the outer sole, either bv means of adhesive or bv stitches or other fasteners. or both, the upper. being then in temper, is lasted by inserting a last L (Fig. 19) Within the upper to which the outer sole has already been attached. The last is left in the upper until the material of the `shoe has setl thoroughly on the last, whereupon the last is withdrawn and the shoe is completed in accordance with usual methods.

It is to be noted that in accordance with the preferred practice of the present procedure no true innerv sole is used, although after the last has been withdrawn from the shoe. a sock lining may be inserted. if desired. However, .since the upper surface of the plateau portion P of the outer sole is smooth and level and the thickness or height of the plateau substantially equals the thickness of the edge E', and since the edge of the upper is brought into firm engagement with the shoulder A. the inner surface of the upper forms substantially an uninterrupted continuation of the upper surface of the plateau portion P of the outer sole. rl'hus the inner foot-engaging surface of the shoe is unusually smooth and free from crevices, projections, or lumps, so that not even a sock lining is always necessary, and the resultant shoe is much more comfortable to the wearer than shoes made in accordance with usual practice. Moreover, the usual lasting operation is rendered unnecessary, the cost of production is substantially decreased, and less skill is required in making the shoe in accordance with this method than is necessary when usual lasting and adjunctive processes are employed.

While certain desirable embodiments of the invention have been described by Way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is not to he4 limited to these precise embodiments or to the precise order of steps as described, but is to be regarded as inclusive of all equivalents as to mechanism and process such as fall within the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in uniting the welt of a pre-Welt shoe to a sole member, the outer surface of the welt being adhesive, said apparatus comprising means for initiating the downward and outward turning and flattening of the welt, and means operative progressively to flatten successive portions of the adhesive surface of the welt into firm contact with the surface of the sole member, and means for supporting the sole member While the weltis being united thereto.

2. Apparatus for use in uniting the Welt of a pre-Welt shoe to a sole member, the outer surface of the Welt having a coating of adhesive, said apparatus comprising means operative to flatten successive portions of the adhesive coated surface of the Welt progressively, and to bring such portions into contact with.v the surface of the sole member, guard means operative to prevent premature contact of the adhesive surface of the welt with the sole member and means for supporting the sole member While the Welt is being united thereto.

3. Apparatus for use in attaching the Welt of a pre-welt shoe to a sole member, the outer surface of the welt having a coating of adhesive, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the sole member while the welt is being united thereto, and means operative progressively to flatten successive portions of the welt and to lay its adhesively coated surface into contact with the surface of the sole member, guard means normally disposed between the approaching portions of the adhesive surface of the welt and of the sole member thereby to prevent premature contact of the adhesive with the sole member, and means operative to relmovle said guard means from operative position a w1 4. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a support for the marginal portion of the outer sole. a tucking member having a beveled nose portion operative to force the united edges of the upper and Welt against the abutment shoulder, said tucking member having a substantially flat welt-engaging surface, and means for vibrating said tucking member in a path comprising portions which are differently inclined, each at an acute angle, to the horizontal while keeping the welt-engaging surface of the tucking member always substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the outer sole.

5. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising means for initiating the turning of the welt into parallel relation to the sole surface, and tucking means engageable progressively with successive portions of the welt to force the inner edge of the welt against said abutment shoulder, and means for actuating said tucking means.

6. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising means including a tucking element having as welt-engaging surface of substantial width, lengthwise of the welt; said element being engageable progressively with successive portions of the welt to press the latter flat against the margin of the outer sole, and means for vibrating the tucking element in a path comprising portions which are differently inclined, each at an acute angle, to the horizontal.

'7. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising combined tucking and pressing means having a welt-flattening surface of substantial width longitudinally of the welt and engageable progressively with successive portions of the welt so as concomitantly to force the inner edge of the welt against said abutment shoulder and to fiatten the welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, means for initiating the turning of the welt into parallel relation to the outer sole, and means operative to actuate'A said' tucking and pressing means.

8. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a tucking device having a beveled nose portion of substantial length longitudinally of the welt, operative to enter between the outer surfaces of the united welt and upper and to force the united edges of the Welt and upper against said abutment shoulder, said tucking device also having a at under surface for contact with the upper surface of the welt, means operative to guide said tucking means to move in a path including a portion which is acutely inclined to the horizontal and a second portion which is more steeply inclined, and means for moving said tucking device back and forth along said path.

9. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking means having an acute edge operative to enter the angle between the outer surfaces of the united welt and upper, means for initiating the turning of the welt into parallel relation to the sole surface, and means operative to guide said tucking means to move in a path which inclines downwardly toward the upper surface of the outer sole thereby to force the united edges of the welt and upper against the abutment shoulderof the outer sole, and means for reciprocating the tucking means in said path.

l0. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole hasv an abutment 'shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a Welt tucking and flattening device having a bevelled nose portion operative to enter the crevice between the outer surfaces of the united welt and upper, said device also having a substantially horizontal welt-flattening surface, a carrier for said device, guide means for the carrier defining an inclined pathwhose final portion is steeper than its initial portion, both portions of said path being acutely inclined tcthehorizontal, and means operative rapidly to reciprocate the carrier along said path.

11. Apparatus for use in uniting the upperand outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a welt tucking device having a nose operative to enter the crevice between the outer surfaces of the united welt and upper, a carrier for said tucking device, connections between the tucking device and carrier including yieldable cushioning means, guide means for the carrier comprising a slot having an initial portion inclined less than 45 to the horizontal and a final portion which is more steeply inclined, and means for reciprocating, the carrier along said guide means.

12. Apparatusior use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a support for the marginal portion of the outer sole, a guide for the edge of the outer sole, a welt tucking and flattening device having a nose portion terminating in an acute edge designed to enter the crevice between the outer surfaces of the united welt and upper, a carrier for said tucking and flattening device, the carrier having a socket and the tucking device having a stem fitting within the socket, spring means engaging the stem and constituting yieldable cushioning means therefor, guide means defining a path inclined toward the upper surface of an outer sole resting on the support and along which the carrier slides, and actuating means operative to vibrate the carrier along said path.

13. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole hasan abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising welt-flattening means operative to enter between the outer surfaces of the welt and upper, means guiding said welt-flattening means to move in a path having a component which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the outer sole, a Welt-engaging plow operative to initiate turning of the welt into parallel relation to the sole surface, and means operative to move said welt-flattening means back and forth along said path thereby to press the welt into contact with the margin of the opper.

14. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge o f its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a tucking device having a bevelled nose portion operative to enter between the outer surfaces of the welt and upper, the tucking device also having a welt-flattening surface, means operative to guide said device to move in an inclined path, means operative to move the tucking device back and forth along said path, and a welt-turning plow so disposed as to engage the welt before the latter reaches the zone of operation of the tucking device.

15. Apparatus for use in uniting the vupper and outer sole of a pre-Welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a tucking implement designed to enter between the outer surfaces of the welt and upper, means for moving said tucking implement back and forth along a predetermined path, a. weltturning plow and a guard member operative to f prevent premature adhesion of the welt and outer sole.

16. Apparatus for use in uniting the upper and outer sole of a pre-welt shoe in which the outer sole has an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a welt-tucking and flattening device including a nose portion terminating in an acute substantially horizontal edge defined bythe intersection of an inclined forward face andv a substantially horizontal fiat under surface, said nose portion being of such width asto flatten the welt without substantially indenting it when pressed thereagainst, and means for vibrating said tucking device along a predetermined path including rectilinear portions each making an acute angle with the plane of the outer sole, the first portion being less steeply inclined than the last portion whereby the tucking device first presses the united edges of the welt and upper toward the abutment shoulder and then acts with relatively increased force toward the plane of the sole so as to flatten thewelt againstthe sole.

17. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated Welt of a pre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and flattening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to iiatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, guard means operative to prevent premature engagement ofthe adhesive surface of the welt with the outer sole before the inner edge of the welt has properly engaged the shoulder, and means for supporting the sole While the welt is united thereto.

18. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated weit of a pre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment; shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and flattening means operative 'progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the Welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, a guard plate normally interposed between the approaching surfaces of the welt and outer sole thereby to prevent premature contact of the adhesive surface of the welt with the outer sole before the inner edge of the welt has engaged the abutment shoulder, and means operative to remove said guard plate from operative position at will.

19. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated Welt of a pre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tuoking and flattening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the weit into contact with the margin of the outer sole, and a welt-turning plow arranged to engage the welt before the latter reaches vthe tucking and flattening means, said plow being operative to initiate ner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder` and to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, and a welt-turning\\plow arranged to engage the weit before the latter reaches the field of operation of the tucking andiiattening means, said plow having a welt-engaging portion designed to enter the crevice between the outer surfaces of the welt and upper, said Welt-engaging portion of the plow being inclined toward' the plane of the sole and in the direction of movement of the welt as the latter approaches the tucking and flattening means.

21. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated Welt of a pre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and flattening means operative progressively to `force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to atten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, a movable, normally stationary work support on which the margin of the outer sole rests as the sole and upper are presented to the tucking and flattening means, and means, including an inclined substantially rectilinear surface upon which said work support slidably rests, operative to move the work support toward or from the tucking and flattening means to accommodate soles of varying effective thickness.

22. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated welt of apre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus compri'sing tucking and flattening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and having a substantially flat surface operative to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, a normally stationary work rest having an upper surface on which the margin of the outer sole is supported as the sole and welt are presented within the field of operation of the tucking and flattening means, said upper surface of the work support being always substantially parallel to the flattening surface of the tucking and flattening means, an inclined support for the work rest, and means operative to move the work rest along said inclined support thereby to vary the vertical distance between the work rest and the tucking and flattening means so as to accommodate outer soles of varying effective thickness.

23. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated welt of a pre-welt shoe to a sole member having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and flattening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the sole member, a

normally stationary work rest for the margin of' the sole member, and an inclined support for the work rest, and means operative to move the work rest along said inclined support while keeping the work-engaging surface oi' the work rest always parallel to a given plane thereby to vary the distance between the work rest and the tucking and flattening means, said work rest moving means including a foot-actuated pedal for moving the rest in one direction, and a spring for moving it in the opposite direction. A'

24. Apparatus for use in uniting the adhesively coated welt of a pre-welt shoe to a sole member having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising a supportY for the marginal portion oi' the sole member, a tucking and iiattening element operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and comprising a flat' weltengaging surface operative to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the sole member, means operative to vibrate said tucking and flattening element toward and from the sole support, and a guide roll engageable with the edge of the sole member for properly positioning the latter relatively to the zone of operation of the tucking and flattening means.

25. Apparatus for use in uniting the welt of a pre-welt shoeto a sole member having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and flattening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to flatten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the Welt into contact with the margin of the sole member, a spray nozzle, means for supplying the nozzle with compressed air and with iluid adhesive respectively, said spray nozzle being operative to apply adhesive to the exposed surface oi' the welt as the welt approaches the tucking` and attening means.

26. Apparatus `for use in uniting the welt of a pre-welt shoe to a sole member having an abutment shoulder spaced from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and attening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge oi' the welt against the abutment shoulder and to atten corresponding portions of the adhesively coated surface of the welt into contact with the margin of the sole member, means operative to heat an adhesive substantially to the setting point, a spray nozzle, means for supplying the spray nozzle with compressed air and with fluid adhesive respeotively, said spray nozzle being operative to deliver said pre-heated adhesive against the exposed surface of the welt as the Ilatter approaches the tucking and liattenng means.

27. Apparatus for use in uniting the welt of a pre-welt shoe to an outer sole having an abutment shoulder spaced :from the edge of its upper surface, said apparatus comprising tucking and attening means operative progressively to force successive portions of the inner edge of the welt against the abutment shoulder and to atten corresponding portions of\ the under surface of the Welt into contact with the margin of the outer sole, a welt plow operative to initiate turning the welt into substantially parallel relation to the 'outer sole surface and means opera-tive to insert fastener means for permanently uniting the welt and outer sole, said fastener-inserting means being arranged to operate upon the welt and sole immediately after they have been acted upon by the tucklng and attening means.

JACOB S. KANIBORIAN. 

